A/N: I can't say this is one if my best works, but I'm determined to work on my rusty writing skills and improve throughout the month. Enjoy July 1st: The Smell of Fresh Paint. This was a hard topic, to be honest.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, sadly.
"Sasuke? Are you sure you want this colour?" Sakura mumbled as she looked back and forth between the paint and the aged beige walls.
Distracted from my thoughts, I glance towards the doorway where the voice resonated from; towards the woman carrying my child. The very woman who brought warmth back in my heart, giving me a second chance in this funny game called life. A second chance that, to this day, I'm still not sure I deserve. But here she was, leaning against the doorway, heavy with our child; the very definition of a second chance.
I pulled my gaze from her and once again focused on the wall in front of me. Running my hand along the wall, old paint chipping off in flakes, I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I take in the lingering memories in the atmosphere, playing them in my mind. It smells of tou-san's police uniform, the flowery scent of kaa-san, and aniki's scent of… comfort. It smells of home. 'Am I ready to paint over my past with a new start? Am I really ready to face the smell of a new beginning? How can I be sure I'm prepared to play the important role of a father? How do I know if –'
I once again glance at Sakura, holding up two paint cards against the wall, eyebrows knitted in concentration as she stared between the two cards and the faded walls. The slight pout upon her lips puts a small smile on my face. With this vision of home in front of me, there's nothing I can be scared of. Without a doubt, this is where I want to spend the rest of life, with the love of my life.
I dip my paint brush into the sky blue colour and without hesitance, began to cover the beige with the vibrant blue shade. The overwhelming smell of the paint makes its way to my nose and I move my head back. I stare at the contrast between the two colours and I feel as if something has been lifted from my shoulders. I breathe a sigh of relief as I dip the brush back into the can.
'I'm ready.'